Signaling device



J. A. WOTTON. SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 28,19!!!- Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

n y mm A 47 J 4U MW/ M A. 4W w J 1/ Z W 0 W /H M film u I 9 Zn M ay UNITEDTSTATESI PATENT OFFlCE JAMES A. WOT'ION, lvIONTCLAIR, JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T O \VESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEWTYORK, N. Y., CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

, Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

Original application filed June 13, 1918 Serial No. 239,762. Divided and this application filed November 28, 1919. Serial No. 341,126.

To all whom it may concern.

e it known that I, JAMES A. Wo'r'roN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Devices,

of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactdescription.

This invention relates generally to signaling devices and more particularly to electromagnetic signaling devices, of thetype used in telephone switchboards.

The object of this invention is to provide a compact mounting'for signaling devices fronrwhich the said'devices may be readily removed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mounting in which the individual signaling devices are magnetically shielded from each other.

The preferred form of signaling device for which this invention is especially adapted is described fully in my copending application, Serial No. 239,762, filed June 13, 1918, of which the present application is a division.

These objects are accomplished in accordance with my invention in its preferred form by providing a skeleton framework composed of longitudinal and transverse strips somewhat in the form of a lamp or j ack strip. These strips support cylindrical iron shells into which the signal devices are fitted. These shells serve to protect adjoining signals from mutual magnetic effects. Springs are provided to contact with contact points on the casing of the signal device, therebv allowing the convenient removal of and replacement of a single signal unit.

With this simple structure, a mounting strip may be made as small and as compact as the jack strip or other apparatus with which it is associated.

The drawing shows the preferred form of the invention. Figure 1 shows a general view of the mounting strip partly assembled with portions cut away to show the general construction. Fig. 2 shows a crosssectional view through one of the iron shells with a signal device in position.

Like reference numbers refer to like parts in the figures.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the mounting comprises a face strip or portion 1 provided with a number of rearwardly shouldered apertures 2. Rearwardly extending end portlons 3, 3 are provided with suitable lugs 1, 1 for attaching the mounting to the associated switchboard framework. By means of screws 5 engaging the ends thereto, a mounting bar 6 of a contact spring bank is secured to the end portions 3, 3. Upon the bar 6 and separated therefrom by insulating strips 7, 7, pairs of contact springs 8 and 9,, adapted to engage contact plates 10 and 11 are mounted and secured thereto by means of bolts 12, carrying insulating washers 13, 13, extending through apertures in members 6 and 7 and engaging nuts 14.

At a point intermediate the face strip and the contact spring back, a supporting member 15 is secured to the end portions 3, 3. Apertures 16, corresponding in number and alinement with apertures 2, are provided in the nieinber 15. However these apertures are enlarged near the front surface of the member to provide therein annular shoulders in opposition to those of apertures 2. Cylindrical casings of magnetic material 17 are jointly supported by the face strip 1 and the supporting member 15, by engaging the enlarged portions of the apertures 2 and 16 respectively insuch members. These casings inclose the unitary electromagnetic signal devices when in position, providing therefor magnetic paths of low reluctance and serving to magnetically isolate the individual devices. The longitudinal movement of the casings 17 is effectively prevented by the annular shoulders within the apertures 2 and 16.

The apertures .2 in the face strip 1 are partially closed by the projecting caps 18 inserted from the front of the mounting, and removably secured in position by detent 19 in the walls thereof, resiliently e11- gaging vertical apertures 20 in the face strip 1. Apertures 21 of a diameter which permits an effective exposure of the targets, 22 when in their normal position, but facilitates their obscuration upon retraction, are provided in the caps 18.

When the electromagnet of the signaling device 23 is energized, the target member 22 is withdrawn from the aperture 21 until it is effectively retired. hen de'energized,

I tui'e 21.

' mounting, by the removal of the associated 17:, and: by the consequent disengagement of "face and intermediate members, and abank cap 18, the resiliency of the Wall of the cap being such that therdetentl 9 may'be'readilyi disengaged from the aperture 20. The device may then be Withdrawn from the casing lie-contact plates 10and 11 from the contact springs 8 and 9' respectively, it is also= disengaged s'fromthe circuit With which it may have been associated; IVhat 1s claimed is: I

1. In a mounting for a seriesof-"signa-ling devices, a face member, an- 1I1tGIIIIBCl1MLG" supporting member, a series of shields for the said devices jointl'y' supported by the of contactsprings mounted at I, the rearof said shields for engaging and positioning the signaling (IBVlCQS;

partly thrust through theaper-- 2. In a mounting fora series of signaling devices bearing display targets or members,

means for removably"supporting such 'devices comprising apertured vfront; and back supporting members, a series of shields jointly supported thereby for'inclosing the devices, a bank of contact springs mounted at the. rear of the shields for engaging and positioning the devices and partial closure members inserted in the apertures of the face member through which the display members normally partially protrude.

3. In a mounting'fora series of signaling devices, a face member, an intermediate supporting: member, aseries of shields of mag.- netic material for. the said devices, jointly supported by the face and intermediate members, and a bank of contact springs mounted at the rear of-saidshields for engaging and positioning the said signaling devices; p T r y In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name'thi's24tlr day of November D., 1919. r

JAMES A. Worrorr. 

